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History Bits: The Aztec Eagles

The Aztec Eagles (Águilas Aztecas) was a
Mexican air fighter squadron that provided air support to the Allies in the South Pacific
during World War II. Before the formation of the Aztec Eagles, the relationship
between the United States and Mexico was not in a good place.

Learn about how the relationship between
the two countries improved during World War II and led to the formation of the
Aztec Eagles. The historical and educational information below is suitable for
middle graders and up.

1800s:
Mexico and the United States

The US was expanding its territory during
the 19th century under the idea of the Manifest Destiny, which was
the belief that the US, as a nation, was destined to expand across North America. Determined
to expand its territory, the US began having conflicts with Mexico because
American setters kept moving into Mexico's northern territories.

The Mexican-American War started in 1846
and ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. The US won the war.
Mexico lost Texas, the vast territory that became Arizona, California, Nevada,
New Mexico, and Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

The Mexican- American War and its result
damaged the relationship between the US and Mexico for a very long time.

1930s:
The Good Neighbor Policy

It was not until the 1930s that the US and
Mexico started to renew an amicable, yet not fully trustworthy, relationship.
The administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented the Good
Neighbor Policy toward Latin America. The US promised to be a "good
neighbor" and make fair trade deals with Latin America. Furthermore, the
US would not intervene and interfere in Latin American domestic affairs.

World
War II

World War II lasted from 1939 until 1945.
During this unfortunate time in history, the US and Mexico strengthened their
relationship.

In 1942, a German submarine torpedoed the
Mexican oil tanker Potrero del Llano.
The Mexican government protested the attack. Nazi Germany's response was to
sink another Mexican tanker. As a result, Mexico declared war on the Axis
powers and joined the Allies.

After these incidents, the US and Mexico
began to support each other against their enemies. The US sent military
aircraft to the Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (FAM). Mexico sent goods, minerals, and
farm labor to the US.

The
Monterrey Summit

In 1943, President Roosevelt met with
Mexican President Manuel Ávila Camacho at the historic Monterrey Summit.
President Roosevelt called for even more collaboration between the countries.
President Ávila Camacho responded with his famous broadcasted speech Good Neighbors – Good Friends: Mexico the
Bridge between Latin and Saxon Cultures.

President Camacho pointed out: "We
deserve to live together free of the perpetual threats which derive from those
who seek supremacy."

And he concluded saying:

"I repeat to you, Mr. President,
together with the sentiments of solidarity of my country and our wish for
success of our common cause, the desire that the relations between Mexico and
the United States of America may develop — always — along the channels of
mutual esteem and unceasing devotion to liberty."

President Manuel Ávila Camacho . C.C. License.

The presidents kept collaborating. Mexico sent
one Mexican air force squadron to fight the Axis powers. It was the first time
in Mexico's history that Mexican troops were sent to fight overseas. In exchange,
President Roosevelt allowed the Mexican air force squadron to train in the US.

The
Aztec Eagles (Águilas Aztecas)The Mexican air force squadron included
more than three hundred volunteers, of which 38 were first-rate pilots. For
three months, they trained at Pocatello Air Force Base, in Idaho, and Foster
Army Air Field and Majors Field, both in Texas.

In 1944, the squadron became the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force (Fuerza Aérea
Expedicionaria Mexicana), and its flight component the Air Force Squadron 201 (Escuadrón Aéreo de
Pelea 201). The members of Air Fighter Squadron 201 decided to call themselves
the Aztec Eagles (Águilas Aztecas).

The
Aztec Eagles in the Philippines

During 1945, the Aztec Eagles provided air
support to the Allies in the South Pacific as part of the US Fifth Air Force
and the 58th Fighter Group. Assisting the liberation of Luzon, ferrying
new aircraft from Biak island to the Philippines, and participating in Very
Long Range fighter sweeps over the South China Sea were among their most
important missions. The Aztec Eagles flew 1,996 hours in combat and completed
96 combat missions.

Major General Basilio J. Valdez, Secretary
of Defense and Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army, decorated the
Aztec Eagles with the Philippine Liberation Medal at an official ceremony at
Clark Field. General Douglas MacArthur, Commander of the Allied Forces in the
South Pacific, praised them. President Ávila Camacho received them proudly and
decorated them with medals at Mexico City's national square.

Air Fighter Squadron 201 display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. C.C. License.

Middle graders and up learn all the
details about the formation, training, and missions of the Aztec Eagles with
this phenomenal historical and educational book. They also find out how the
Aztec Eagles built a school in Teopoztlán, Morelos, Mexico.